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Subject: Re: left channel trouble, need advice

Re: left channel trouble, need advice

From: miles <ransomiles_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 01:19:16 -0400

BlueChip wrote:

> At 22:18 03/06/03 -0400, you wrote:
>
>> I have an fm recorder and live by the daily builds. I like this
>> device, but once I found rockbox by searching for ".ajz" on google I
>> haven't put it down, a sincere thank you to the rockbox crew.
>>
>> Recently the left channel has been cracking and will go out entirely
>> if the headphone connection is slightly pushed in just the right
>> direction (about 20 degrees up and in the direction of the line in
>> port). I like to walk around with it in my pocket and this is making
>> listening difficult while on the move.
>>
>> I can't send it back to Archos since I just upgraded the HD,
>> interestingly there was no warranty sticker but I doubt that will get
>> me anywhere with their customer dis-service.
>>
>> So, what can I do to fix this?
>
>
> This sounds to me like you have abused the headphone jack - maybe you
> dropped the player whilst the phones were plugged in or equal kind of
> event(s). If you have 20^ of play on the socket then the chances are
> that it is no longer connected to the PCB. And it WOULD most likely
> be the L channel that goes!
>
> If it is, the fix is fiddly, but quite simple.
>
> Open the unit up and solder the socket back to the pcb!
>
> You may find that where the socket has come up, that it has lifted the
> pcb track.
> If so, the fix becomes a bit more fiddly :(
> ...you cannot simply solder to the pcb track, as it is broken
> ...clean up an extra bit of track RIGHT next to the socket solder
> point - scrape off the resin coat with a screwdriver
> ...join the already-present solder blob to the newly-cleaned track and
> join the two with a tiny bit of wire
> ...you may also want to put in a spot of hot-plastic; expoxy glue; or
> super-glue on the socket to give it a bit of added future stability -
> MAKE SURE IT WORKS FIRST! ...superglue is MY preference as it can be
> broken without too much hassle; epoxy is kinda permenant; hot-plastic
> glue gun things can be removed, but can be a bit of a pain on small
> things.
>
> I just hope you have a basic grasp of how to use a soldering iron - if
> not; this is not the place to learn - get a friend to help :)
>
Abused is such a strong word, I do confess to getting the cord hooked on
a doorknob two months ago, but I did not notice a single click until two
days ago, really out of nowhere (thought it was the song I was listening
to).

The 20 degree angle I mentioned was meant to describe the direction of
the force I need to apply to make the channel go out, it's not quite
that bad. But if I were to try to perform the fix you just described
I'd be looking for a new mp3 player :)

It seems like the application of the force is just barely pushing the
headphone connection off of the left channel contact, but while the
player is stationary I have no problems. I bought an L-adapter for my
good headphones and made a little mod to the neoprene case which keeps
the headphone connection isolated, and this pretty much works but
there's nothing worse than getting into your music and losing a channel,
major buzzkill.

If there is no easy fix that doesn't require the soldering iron, (which
seems doubtful) I'll make sure to give the tech at the electronics
repair store a copy of your instructions.

Thanks for the help.

 
Received on 2003-06-04

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